Droplet deposition apparatus and method for manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

A droplet deposition apparatus, such as an inkjet printhead, that includes an integrally-formed manifold component and one or more actuator components; these actuator components provide an first array of fluid chambers, each of which has a piezoelectric actuator element and a nozzle, with this piezoelectric actuator element being able to cause the release in a deposition direction of fluid droplets through the nozzle in response to electrical signals; the first array of fluid chambers extends in an array direction from a first longitudinal end to a second, opposite longitudinal end, this array direction being perpendicular to the deposition direction; in addition, the manifold component is elongate in the array direction and includes a first and second manifold chambers, with these manifold chambers extending side-by-side in the array direction and the first manifold chamber being fluidically connected to the second manifold chamber via each of the fluid chambers in the first array; the cross-sectional area of at least one of these manifold chambers is tapered with distance in the array direction, for example to improve purging of the chambers during start-up; the cross-sectional shape of the integrally-formed manifold component perpendicular to the array direction varies with distance in the array direction such that the centroid of the cross-section remains a substantially constant distance, in said deposition direction, from said array of fluid chambers over the length of the first array of fluid chambers, with the integrally-formed manifold component thus being essentially self-stiffening.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/038,661 filed May 23,2016 which is the U.S. national phase of PCT/GB2014/053497 filed Nov.25, 2014, which claims the Convention priority of UK 1320862.4 filed onNov. 26, 2013, the entire respective disclosures of which areincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to droplet deposition apparatus. It mayfind particularly beneficial application in a drop-on-demand ink-jetprinthead, or, more generally, in droplet deposition apparatus and,specifically, in droplet deposition apparatus comprising a manifoldcomponent and one or more actuator components, the actuator componentsproviding an array of fluid chambers, which each have a piezoelectricactuator element and a nozzle, the piezoelectric actuator element beingoperable to cause the release in a deposition direction of fluiddroplets through the nozzle in response to electrical signals, where themanifold component includes a first manifold chamber and a secondmanifold chamber, the first manifold chamber being fluidically connectedto said second manifold chamber via each of said fluid chambers in saidfirst array.

Related Technology

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of alternativefluids may be deposited by droplet deposition apparatus: droplets of inkmay travel to, for example, a paper or other substrate, such as ceramictiling, to form an image, as is the case in inkjet printingapplications; alternatively, droplets of fluid may be used to buildstructures, for example electrically active fluids may be deposited ontoa substrate such as a circuit board so as to enable prototyping ofelectrical devices, or polymer containing fluids or molten polymer maybe deposited in successive layers so as to produce a prototype model ofan object (as in 3D printing). Droplet deposition apparatus suitable forsuch alternative fluids may be provided with modules that are similar inconstruction to standard inkjet printheads, with some adaptations madeto handle the specific fluid in question.

In addition, a wide variety of constructions exist within the prior artfor droplet deposition, including a number that have been disclosed bythe present Applicant. Of particular interest in the present case arethe examples provided by WO 00/38928, from which FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7are taken.

WO 00/38928 provides a number of examples of droplet depositionapparatus having an array of fluid chambers, with each chambercommunicating with an orifice for droplet ejection, with a common fluidinlet manifold and with a common fluid outlet manifold and where thereis, during use, a fluid flow into the inlet manifold, through eachchamber in the array and into the outlet manifold.

FIG. 1 illustrates a “pagewide” printhead 10, having two rows of nozzles20, 30 that extend (in the direction indicated by arrow 100) the widthof a piece of paper and which allow ink to be deposited across theentire width of a page in a single pass. Ejection of ink from a nozzleis achieved by the application of an electrical signal to actuationmeans associated with a fluid chamber communicating with that nozzle, asis known e.g. from EP-A-0 277 703, EP-A-0 278 590, WO 98/52763 and WO99/19147.

More particularly, as taught in EP-A-0 277 703 and EP-A-0 278 590,piezoelectric actuator walls may be formed between successive channelsand are actuated by means of electric fields applied between electrodeson opposite sides of each wall so as to deflect transversely in shearmode. The resulting pressure waves generated in the ink or other fluidcause ejection of a droplet from the nozzle.

To simplify manufacture and increase yield, the “pagewide” row(s) ofnozzles may be made up of a number of modules, one of which is shown at40, each module having associated fluid chambers and actuation means andbeing connected to associated drive circuitry (integrated circuit(“chip”) 50) by means e.g. of a flexible circuit 60. Ink supply to andfrom the printhead is via respective bores (not shown) in end-caps 90.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printhead of FIG. 1 from the rearand with end-caps 90 removed to reveal the supporting structure 200 ofthe printhead incorporating ink flow passages, or manifolds 210,220,230extending the width of the printhead.

WO 00/38928 teaches that ink may be fed into an inlet manifold and outof an outlet manifold, with the manifolds being common to and connectedvia each channel, so as to generate ink flow through each channel (andthus past each nozzle) during printhead operation. This may act toprevent the accumulation of dust, dried ink or other foreign bodies inthe nozzle that would otherwise inhibit ink droplet ejection.

In more detail, ink enters the printhead of FIGS. 1 to 4 via a bore inone of the end-caps 90 (omitted from the views of FIGS. 1 and 2), andvia the inlet manifold 220, as shown at 215 in FIG. 2. As it flows alongthe inlet manifold 220, it is drawn off into respective ink chambers, asillustrated in FIG. 3, which is a sectional view of the printhead takenperpendicular to the direction of extension of the nozzle rows. Frominlet manifold 220, ink flows into first and second parallel rows of inkchambers (indicated at 300 and 310 respectively) via aperture 320 formedin structure 200 (shown shaded). Having flowed through the first andsecond rows of ink chambers, ink exits via apertures 330 and 340 to jointhe ink flow along respective first and second ink outlet passages210,230, as indicated at 235. These join at a common ink outlet bore(not shown) formed in the end-cap and that may be located at theopposite or same end of the printhead to that in which the inlet bore isformed.

Each row of chambers 300 and 310 has associated therewith respectivedrive circuits 360,370. The drive circuits are mounted in substantialthermal contact with that part of structure 200 acting as a conduit andwhich defines the ink flow passageways so as to allow a substantialamount of the heat generated by the circuits during their operation totransfer via the conduit structure to the ink. To this end, thestructure 200 is made of a material having good thermal conductionproperties. WO 00/38928 teaches that aluminum is a particularlypreferred material, on the grounds that it can be easily and cheaplyformed by extrusion. Circuits 360,370 are then positioned on the outsidesurface of the structure 200 so as to lie in thermal contact with thestructure, thermally conductive pads or adhesive being optionallyemployed to reduce resistance to heat transfer between circuit andstructure.

In order to reinforce the support structure 200, a bar made from astrong material, such as steel, may be provided within channel 550 (asis known from WO 00/2584).

Further detail of the chambers and nozzles of the particular printheadshown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is given in FIG. 4, which is a sectional viewtaken along a fluid chamber of a module 40. As shown in FIG. 4, channels11 are machined or otherwise formed in a base component 860 ofpiezoelectric material so as to define piezoelectric channel walls whichare subsequently coated with electrodes, thereby to form channel wallactuators, as known e.g. from EP-A-0 277 703. Each channel half isclosed along a length 600,610 by respective sections 820,830 of a covercomponent 620 which is also formed with ports 630,640,650 thatcommunicate with fluid manifolds 210,220,230 respectively. Each half600,610 of the channel 11 thus provides one fluid chamber.

A break in the electrodes at 810 allows the channel walls in either halfof the channel to be operated independently by means of electricalsignals applied via electrical inputs (flexible circuits 60). Inkejection from each channel half is via openings 840,850 that communicatethe channel with the opposite surface of the piezoelectric basecomponent to that in which the channel is formed. Nozzles 870,880 forink ejection are subsequently formed in a nozzle plate 890 attached tothe piezoelectric component.

The large arrows in FIG. 4 illustrate (from left to right): the flow offluid from the chambers on the left-hand-side of the array 600 to outletmanifold 210, via the left-hand port 630; the flow of fluid into thechannels from inlet manifold 220, via the central port 640; and the flowof fluid from the chambers on the right-hand-side of the array 610 tothe other outlet manifold 230, via the right-hand port 650.

As a result, it will be appreciated that there is, during use of theprinthead, a flow of fluid along the length of each of the chambers600,610. As noted above, WO 00/38928 teaches that this ink flow througheach channel (and thus past each nozzle) during printhead operation mayact to prevent the accumulation of dust, dried ink or other foreignbodies in the nozzle that would otherwise inhibit ink droplet ejection.More, WO 00/38928 teaches that, to ensure effective cleaning of thechambers by the circulating ink and in particular to ensure that anyforeign bodies in the ink, e. g. dirt particles, are likely to go past anozzle rather than into it, the ink flow rate through a chamber must behigher than the maximum rate of ink ejection from the chamber and may,in some cases, be ten times that rate.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are exploded perspective views (taken from WO 01/12442) ofa printhead having similar features as that shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. Thus,WO 01/12442 provides further examples of droplet deposition apparatushaving an array of fluid chambers, with each chamber communicating withan orifice for droplet ejection, with a common fluid inlet manifold andwith a common fluid outlet manifold and where there is, during use, afluid flow into the inlet manifold, through each chamber in the arrayand into the outlet manifold.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate in detail how various components may bearranged on a substrate 86, together with constructional details of thesubstrate 86 itself.

In more detail, FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate two rows of channels spacedrelative to one another in the media feed direction. The two rows ofchannels are formed in respective strips of piezoelectric material 110a, 110 b, which are bonded to a planar surface of substrate 86. Each rowof channels extends the width of a page in a direction transverse to themedia feed direction. As discussed above, electrodes are provided on thewalls of the channels, so that electrical signals may be selectivelyapplied to the walls. The channel walls may thus act as actuator membersthat can cause droplet ejection.

Substrate 86 is formed with conductive tracks 192, which areelectrically connected to the respective channel wall electrodes, (forexample by solder bonds), and which extend to the edge of the substratewhere respective drive circuitry (integrated circuits 84) for each rowof channels is located.

As may also be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6, a cover member 420 is bonded tothe tops of the channel walls so as to create closed, “active” channellengths which may contain pressure waves that allow for dropletejection. Holes are formed in cover member 420 that communicate with thechannels to enable ejection of droplets. These holes in turn communicatewith nozzles (not shown) formed in a nozzle plate 430 attached to theplanar cover member 420. However, it is also known, for example from WO2007/113554, to use an appropriately constructed nozzle plate in placeof such a combination of a cover member and nozzle plate.

As with the construction described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, thesubstrate 86 is provided with ports 88, 90 and 92, which communicate toinlet and outlet manifolds. The inlet manifold may be provided betweentwo outlet manifolds, with the inlet manifold thus supplying ink to thechannels via port 90, and ink being removed from the two rows ofchannels to respective outlet manifolds via ports 88 and 92. As FIG. 6illustrates, the conductive tracks 192 may be diverted around the ports88, 90 and 92.

It is known from WO 00/38928 for the cross-sectional area of themanifolds to taper with increasing distance in the direction of thearray. The arrangements discussed in WO 00/38928 are intended to beapplied to printheads in which the linear array of droplet fluidchambers is arranged at a non-zero angle to the horizontal direction.Accordingly, the taper results, in each manifold, in the viscouspressure drop per length down the array being balanced against thegravitational increase in pressure. This is achieved by arranging thatthe cross-section available for flow at each point is appropriate to theflow there.

FIG. 7, which is taken from WO 00/38928, schematically illustrates anarrangement where a linear array of droplet fluid chambers of similarconstruction to that discussed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 isarranged at a non-zero angle to the horizontal direction (i. e. at anon-perpendicular angle to the direction of gravity, indicated by arrowX in the figure). For the sake of clarity, only a single linear array ofchambers is depicted by arrows 1000. However, the constructionsdisclosed in WO 00/38928 utilize an arrangement having a single inletmanifold 1010 and double outlet manifolds 1020, as shown in FIGS. 1-4.Manifolds 1010,1020 are supplied with and drained of ink at connections1030 and 1040 respectively.

More particularly, as shown in FIG. 7, inserts 1050 and 1060 having atapered shape are respectively placed in inlet 1010 and outlet 1020manifolds, which have a generally constant rectangular cross-section. Asa result, the ink entering the inlet manifold 1010 at the top of thearray finds that the tapered insert 1050 only blocks part of thecross-section of the manifold. As the ink passes down the inlet manifold1010, some of it flows outwards via the fluid chambers 1000 to theoutlet manifold 1020 such that, by the time the bottom of the array isreached, there is no ink flowing in the inlet manifold 1010 and thetapered insert 1050 leaves no cross-section for flow. Ink reaching theoutlet manifold 1020 also flows downwards, via cross-sections whichincrease towards the bottom by virtue of further tapered inserts 1060.By the bottom of the array, all the ink (except that which has beenejected for printing) is flowing in the large space allowed by theinserts.

Although the arrangements discussed in WO 00/38928 are intended to beapplied to printheads in which the linear array of droplet fluidchambers is arranged at a non-zero angle to the horizontal direction, soas to balance the decrease in viscous pressure against the increase ingravitational pressure along the array, there may be a number of reasonsfor providing a taper within the manifolds.

In particular, providing a taper within the manifolds may assist withpurging of the fluid chambers as part of a start-up mode for theapparatus. For example, the taper may ensure a roughly equal amount offluid flow passes through each of the chambers in the array. This may,for example, reduce the likelihood of bubbles being trapped at the endof the array furthest from the point where enters the manifold. In orderto provide such functionality, the direction of the taper in the inletand outlet manifolds may be broadly similar to that shown in FIG. 7,though it will of course be appreciated that the different purpose forthe taper will significantly impact upon the exact rate at which thecross-sectional area tapers with respect to distance in the arraydirection.

In droplet deposition apparatus it is generally desirable to improve theuniformity over the length of the array of the droplets deposited; thisis particularly the case with droplet deposition apparatus that have alarge array of fluid chambers, such as inkjet printers. Where asubstrate is indexed past the array of fluid chambers to produce apattern of droplets on the substrate (for example forming an image on asheet of paper or a ceramic tile) such non-uniformity over the length ofthe array may be particularly visible, since it will produce generallylinear defects extending in the direction of substrate movement, thehuman eye being particularly adept at identifying such linear features.

However, even where the pattern formed is not intended to be viewed bythe human eye (such as where electrically active fluids are depositedonto a substrate such as a circuit board so as to enable prototyping ofelectrical devices, or polymer containing fluids or molten polymer maybe deposited in successive layers so as to produce a prototype model(so-called 3D printing)), or where the substrate is not indexed past thearray, it will still be appreciated that non-uniformity over the lengthof the array will be a concern.

There are numerous factors that are thought to cause non-uniformity ofdeposited droplets, with the interactions between these factors complexand often difficult to predict.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are intended to provide apparatusthat may form part of an improved droplet deposition apparatus having anarray of fluid chambers, with each chamber communicating with an orificefor droplet ejection, with a common fluid inlet manifold and with acommon fluid outlet manifold and where there is, during use, a fluidflow into the inlet manifold, through each chamber in the array and intothe outlet manifold. For example, apparatus according to the presentinvention may provide one or more component parts for such an improveddroplet deposition apparatus having an array of fluid chambers, witheach chamber communicating with an orifice for droplet ejection, with acommon fluid inlet manifold and with a common fluid outlet manifold andwhere there is, during use, a fluid flow into the inlet manifold,through each chamber in the array and into the outlet manifold. Inparticular, such droplet deposition apparatus may, because of the use ofapparatus according to embodiments of the present invention, exhibitimproved uniformity in droplet deposition over the array of fluidchambers. However, it should be noted that further and/or otheradvantages may stem from embodiments of the present invention.

Thus, in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention thereis provided droplet deposition apparatus comprising an integrally-formedmanifold component and one or more actuator components; wherein said oneor more actuator components provide an first array of fluid chambers,each having a piezoelectric actuator element and a nozzle, saidpiezoelectric actuator element being operable to cause the release in adeposition direction of fluid droplets through said nozzle in responseto electrical signals, said first array of fluid chambers extending insaid array direction from a first longitudinal end to a second, oppositelongitudinal end, said array direction being generally perpendicular tosaid deposition direction; wherein the manifold component is elongate insaid array direction and comprises a first manifold chamber and a secondmanifold chamber, said first and second manifold chambers extendingside-by-side in said array direction and said first manifold chamberbeing fluidically connected to said second manifold chamber via each ofsaid fluid chambers in said first array; wherein the cross-sectionalarea of at least one of said first manifold chamber and said secondmanifold chamber tapers with distance in the array direction; andwherein the cross-sectional shape of said manifold componentperpendicular to said array direction varies with distance in the arraydirection such that the centroid of the cross-section remains asubstantially constant distance, in said deposition direction, from saidarray of fluid chambers over the length of the first array of fluidchambers.

The Applicant has identified mechanical stress within droplet depositionapparatus and, more particularly in the components near to the array offluid chambers, as a significant cause of non-uniformity. In particular,it has been found that, in constructions similar to that shown in FIG.7, a significant source of such mechanical stress within the apparatusmay be the tapering of the inlet and/or outlet manifolds. Such taperingleads to a variation in the stiffness of the apparatus over the lengthof the array, since, viewed in cross-section, the amount of materialsurrounding the manifolds varies over the length of the array. Thisvariation in stiffness may lead to stress within the apparatus over thelength of the array and thus may impact upon the uniformity over thelength of the array of the droplets deposited.

According to the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of themanifold component varies with distance in the array direction such thatthe centroid of the cross-section remains a substantially constantdistance from said mounting surface. This may reduce the variation instiffness over the length of the array and thus may improve theuniformity of the droplets deposited by the array.

It may be noted that constructions within the prior art have made someefforts to increase stiffness over the length of the actuator array. Forexample, as noted above, WO 00/24584, teaches that a bar made from astrong material, such as steel, may be provided within channel 550 ofthe construction shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 so as to reinforce the supportstructure 200.

In addition, WO 00/24584 discusses the bowing of the aluminum supportingstructure 200 as a result of its thermal expansion during use. Toaddress such bowing, WO 00/24584 teaches that an alumina plate ismounted to the underside of the supporting structure in order to limitexpansion of the aluminum, thereby substantially preventing bowing ofthe structure due to thermal expansion.

Furthermore, WO 00/2584 teaches that tie rods may be inserted in boresextending the length of the supporting structure 200, with the tie rodsbeing tightened so as to keep structure 200 in compression.

However, it has been found that such approaches have drawbacks and,moreover, still lead to significant mechanical stress, with an attendantlack of uniformity over the length of the array of the dropletsdeposited.

More particularly, it is believed that, in the approaches wheredifferent materials are used to stiffen the support (such as where asteel bar is disposed within channel 550 of the aluminum supportingstructure, or an alumina plate is mounted to the underside of thealuminum supporting structure) the different coefficients of thermalexpansion for these materials, which causes the different elements toexpand at different rates, will tend to induce stress within thestructure during use. This stress may lead an unacceptable lack ofuniformity over the length of the actuator array in the dropletsdeposited

The provision of tie rods to keep the structure in compression duringuse directly imposes stress on the supporting structure. Again, thisstress may cause an unacceptable lack of uniformity over the length ofthe actuator array in the droplets deposited.

By contrast, it will be appreciated that apparatus according to thepresent invention comprises a manifold component that may be consideredessentially self-stiffening. As a result, the need for furtherstiffening components may not arise, which may thus avoid the drawbacksnoted above, such as the additional stress caused by such components. Inaddition, the apparatus may be more easily and cheaply manufactured asfewer assembly steps may be required without such additional stiffeningcomponents. Further benefits in terms of ease and cost of manufacturemay arise as a result of the manifold component being integrally-formed.

Suitably, the distance, in said deposition direction, between thecentroid of said cross-section of the manifold component and the firstarray of fluid chambers may vary by no more than 10% over the length ofthe first array of fluid chambers, preferably by no more than 5%, andstill more preferably by no more than 2%.

Controlling the position of the centroid of the cross-section withrespect to a manifold width direction, which is normal to saiddeposition direction and said deposition direction, may also beimportant. Thus, the cross-sectional shape of the manifold componentperpendicular to said array direction may vary with distance in thearray direction such that the centroid of the cross-section remains atsubstantially the same location over the length of the first array offluid chambers with respect to a manifold width direction, which isnormal to said deposition direction and said deposition direction, andpreferably the location with respect to said manifold width directionvaries by no more than 10% of the width of the manifold component overthe length of the first array of fluid chambers, still more preferablyby no more than 5%, and even more preferably by no more than 2%.

It should be noted here that the Applicant has identified furtherapproaches to reducing the variation in stress within components near tothe array of fluid chambers and thereby or otherwise improving theuniformity over the length of the actuator array of the dropletsdeposited.

Therefore, according to a second aspect of the present invention thereis provided droplet deposition apparatus comprising an integrally-formedmanifold component and one or more actuator components; wherein said oneor more actuator components provide a first array of fluid chambers,each fluid chamber having a piezoelectric actuator element and a nozzle,said piezoelectric actuator element being operable to cause the releasein a deposition direction of fluid droplets through said nozzle inresponse to electrical signals, said array of fluid chambers extendingin said array direction from a first longitudinal end to a second,opposite longitudinal end, said array direction being generallyperpendicular to said deposition direction; wherein the manifoldcomponent is elongate in said array direction and comprises a firstmanifold chamber and a second manifold chamber, said first and secondmanifold chambers extending side-by-side in said array direction andsaid first manifold chamber being fluidically connected to said secondmanifold chamber via each of said fluid chambers in said first array;wherein, with respect to said array direction, at least one of saidmanifold chambers extends beyond at least one of said first and secondlongitudinal ends of said first array of fluid chambers.

The Applicant has found, through analyzing the stresses present in amanifold component adjacent the array of fluid chambers, that thegreatest change in stress occurs in the portions adjacent thelongitudinal ends of the manifold chambers. In droplet depositionapparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, sinceat least one of the manifold chambers extends beyond at least one of thefirst and second longitudinal ends of the first array of fluid chambers,at least some of this variation in stress may be avoided, which may thuslead to improved uniformity in deposition over the length of the arrayof fluid chambers.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provideddroplet deposition apparatus comprising an integrally-formed manifoldcomponent and one or more actuator components; wherein said one or moreactuator components provide first and second arrays of fluid chambers,each fluid chamber having a piezoelectric actuator element and a nozzle,said piezoelectric actuator element being operable to cause the releasein a deposition direction of fluid droplets through said nozzle inresponse to electrical signals, said arrays of fluid chambers extendingside-by side in said array direction from a respective firstlongitudinal end to a respective second, opposite longitudinal end, saidarray direction being generally perpendicular to said depositiondirection; wherein the manifold component is elongate in said arraydirection and comprises first, second and third manifold chambers, saidmanifold chambers extending side-by-side in said array direction, saidfirst manifold chamber being disposed between said second and thirdmanifold chambers; wherein said first manifold chamber is fluidicallyconnected to said second manifold chamber via each of the fluid chambersin said first array and to said third manifold chamber via each of thefluid chambers in said second array; wherein said manifold componentfurther comprises first, second and third conduits, said first conduitbranching into said second and third conduits at a fluid junction, saidsecond and third conduits being connected respectively to said secondand third manifold chambers; and wherein, when viewed in said depositiondirection, at least a portion of said fluid junction overlaps with saidfirst manifold chamber.

By providing an integrally-formed manifold component with such a fluidjunction which, when viewed in the deposition direction, overlaps withthe first manifold chamber, the footprint of the apparatus over thesubstrate during use may be reduced and the apparatus may be more easilymanufactured. In addition, as the junction may be spaced-apart from thearray of fluid chambers by the first manifold chamber, the change incross-sectional area of the manifold component with respect to the arraydirection that results from the junction may have less effect on thestresses experienced adjacent the array of fluid chambers. As a result,the properties of droplets deposited by fluid chambers below thejunction may not differ substantially from those of droplets depositedby fluid chambers elsewhere in the array.

Preferably, the conduits and the junction are generally located, withrespect to said array direction, beyond a longitudinal end of said firstand second arrays of fluid chambers. This may ensure that the junctionis spaced-apart still further from the fluid chambers, further lesseningits effect on variations in stress within the manifold component andthus deposition properties.

Embodiments may further comprise a fluid-flow component, with themanifold component and the fluid-flow component together providing thefluid junction. It may be preferred that this fluid-flow component isshaped generally as a plug that is shaped to be received within acorresponding socket provided by the manifold component, and morespecifically that the fluid-flow component is integrally formed. Suchfeatures may further reduce the cost of and simplify manufacture of theapparatus.

Suitably, the manifold component may be substantially symmetric about aplane defined by said array and deposition directions. This may ensurethat droplets deposited by one array do not differ substantially fromdroplets deposited by the other array. An Integrally-formed manifoldcomponent according to the present invention may be formed by moldingand, preferably, by injection molding. Hence, or otherwise, the manifoldcomponent may be substantially homogenous and/or be formed ofsubstantially the same materials throughout. In addition, or otherwise,the manifold component may be free from mechanical joints.

According to the present invention there is also provided a method ofmanufacturing a droplet deposition apparatus, comprising molding, andpreferably injection molding, the manifold component according to anypreceding claim and assembling said manifold component with said one ormore actuator components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art “pagewide” printhead takenfrom WO 00/38928;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the rear and the top of the printheadof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the printhead of FIGS. 1 and 2 takenperpendicular to the direction of extension of the nozzle rows;

FIG. 4 is a section view taken along a fluid channel of an ink ejectionmodule of the printhead of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective and detail perspective views respectivelyof a printhead disclosed in WO 01/12442 that illustrate how variousfeatures and components may be provided on a substrate;

FIG. 7 illustrates a prior art printhead disclosed in WO 00/38928, whichis designed such that the linear array of droplet fluid chambers may bearranged at a non-zero angle to the horizontal direction;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a manifold component for an inkjetprinthead according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the manifold component of FIG. 8 with aheat-sink component loosely attached thereto;

FIG. 10 shows the manifold component of FIG. 8 with actuator componentsattached to the mounting surface thereof and with the heat-sink of FIG.9 attached thereto;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the manifold component of FIG. 8, indicatingthe location of the cross-sectional views shown in FIGS. 12 and 13;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the manifold component of FIG. 8,which illustrates the shape of manifold chambers formed in the manifoldcomponent and the arrangement of actuator components attached to themanifold component;

FIG. 13 is a further cross-sectional view of the manifold component ofFIG. 8, which shows various conduits within the manifold component;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are views from below the manifold component of FIG. 8,showing the relative size and location of strips of piezoelectricmaterial;

FIG. 16 shows the results of a stress analysis of the manifold componentshown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 17 illustrates a further embodiment of a manifold component for aninkjet printhead;

FIG. 18 shows the results of a stress analysis of the manifold componentshown in FIG. 17;

FIGS. 19 and 20 are further perspective views of the manifold componentof FIG. 8, showing only certain actuator components so that theirarrangement is clearly displayed;

FIG. 21 is a partially exploded view of components, including themanifold component of FIG. 8, for an inkjet printhead;

FIG. 22 shows the results of a print test carried out on a printheadutilising the manifold component of FIGS. 14 and 15;

FIG. 23 shows the results of a print test carried out on a printheadutilising the manifold component of FIG. 17; and

FIG. 24 shows the data illustrated in FIG. 22 overlaid with the dataillustrated in FIG. 23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention may be embodied in one or more components of aprinthead and, more specifically, an inkjet printhead. FIG. 8 shows amanifold component 201 for an inkjet printhead according to anembodiment of the present invention. The manifold component 201 may bemanufactured by injection-moulding, thus producing an integrally-formedcomponent. This may make manufacture of the printhead significantlycheaper and easier, not least because one integrally-formed manifoldcomponent 201 may perform the functions of several of the componentsprovided within the constructions taught by WO 00/38928 or WO 00/24584.

The manifold component may therefore be formed substantially frompolymeric materials and/or plastic materials. Suitable materials mayinclude injectable thermoplastics, of which a number of examples areknown, such as polystyrene or polyethylene. However, injectablethermosetting materials may also be appropriate in some circumstances.In addition, the use of filled polymeric materials may be desirable insome cases owing to their generally greater mechanical strength andthermal resistance.

As may be seen from FIG. 8, manifold component 201 is generally elongatein an array direction (which is indicated by arrow 101 in the drawings)and includes three manifold chambers 210, 220, 230, which are formed ina bottom surface thereof. The manifold chambers 210, 220, 230 are alsoelongate in the array direction 101 and open along their lengths to thebottom surface of the manifold component 201. The bottom, or mountingsurface is shaped so as to receive a number of actuator components,which are bonded or otherwise attached to the manifold component 201during manufacture of the inkjet printhead.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the manifold component 201 illustratedin FIG. 8 with a heat-sink component 204 loosely attached thereto. Theheat-sink 204 may be formed of a metallic material. In addition,respective caps 285, 295 have been provided for the two fluid supplypipes 280, 290 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The heat-sink 204 engages withthe opposite side of the manifold component 201 to the manifold chambers210, 220, 230.

The attachment may be by means of inserting heatsink engaging portions2014 a, 2014 b provided by the manifold component (and which may beformed as an integral part of the manifold component 201 during themolding process) into corresponding apertures (not shown) in theheatsink 204. The heatsink engaging portions 2014 a, 2014 b may snapover an integrally-formed feature of the heatsink 204, such as a rib orridge, so as to generally loosely secure the heatsink 204 and manifoldcomponent 201 together. Further apertures corresponding to two fluidsupply pipes 280, 290 may also be provided in the heatsink 204. Thedetail of the exact configuration of the engagement will be discussedfurther below, save to note here that the heat-sink 204 may be looselyattached to the manifold component 201, such that it substantially doesnot transfer mechanical stress to the manifold component 201 during use.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of the manifold component 201with the actuator components having been attached to the mountingsurface thereof and the heatsink loosely attached to the opposite sideof the manifold component 201 to the mounting surface, as discussed withreference to FIG. 9. In the drawing, only the outermost of the actuatorcomponents, the nozzle plate 430, is visible. Provided within the nozzleplate 430 are two arrays of nozzles 435 a, 435 b, which, as shown inFIG. 10, extend generally in the array direction 101. Each array ofnozzles 435 a, 435 b corresponds to an array of fluid chambers that arelocated beneath the nozzle plate 430, with each array of fluid chambersalso extending in the array direction 101.

Those skilled in the art will of course appreciate that, while generallylinear arrays of nozzles are depicted, there may be small offsets in thelocations of nozzles within the same array, for example to take accountof actuation schemes where fluid chambers are cyclically assigned togroups, as is known from EP-A-0 376 532.

The actuator components are operable, during use of the completedprinthead, to eject droplets of ink (or other suitable fluid) from eachof the fluid chambers through a corresponding one of the nozzles 435 a,435 b in a deposition direction 102, which is generally perpendicular tothe array direction 101. As may also be seen from FIG. 10, the twoarrays of nozzles 435 a, 435 b are offset, one from the other, in amanifold width direction 103, which extends generally perpendicular toboth the array direction 101 and the deposition direction 102. Thenozzle plate may be generally planar, extending in a plane normal to thedeposition direction 102.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the manifold component 201 (without heatsink204), illustrating the location of two cross-sections through themanifold component 201 that are taken perpendicular to the arraydirection 101. The first of the two cross-sectional views is takenroughly half-way along the length of the manifold component 201 and isdisplayed in FIG. 12; the second is taken towards an end of the manifoldcomponent 201, where two fluid supply pipes 280, 290 are provided, andis displayed in FIG. 13.

Attention is first directed to the cross-section shown in FIG. 12, whichshows the cross-sectional shapes of the manifold chambers 210, 220, 230formed within the manifold component 201.

As may be seen from FIG. 12, the manifold chambers 210, 220, 230 aregenerally disposed side-by-side, with the central manifold chamber 220located between the left-hand manifold chamber 210 and the right-handmanifold chamber 230 (or, put differently, the central manifold chamber220 separating left-hand manifold chamber 210 from the right-handmanifold chamber 230). Viewed in the array direction 101 (as in FIG. 12)each of the manifold chambers 210, 220, 230 is generally elongate in thedeposition direction 102, the width of each chamber in the manifoldwidth direction 103 being substantially smaller than the height in thedeposition direction 102. Such elongate manifold chambers may reduce theoverall width of the manifold component 201 in the manifold widthdirection 103, which may thus reduce the footprint of the printhead overthe substrate and/or may allow the arrays of fluid chambers to bemounted closer together.

As may also be seen from FIG. 12, above each of the chambers 210, 220,230 there is provided a respective rib 213, 223, 233, which isintegrally-formed in the manifold component. These ribs assist instiffening the manifold component 201 over its length. Moreparticularly, the ribs 213, 223, 233 vary in shape with distance in thearray direction 101, so that they ensure that the manifold component hasa roughly constant stiffness over the length of the arrays of fluidchambers.

As may be apparent from the side view of the manifold component 201 inFIG. 11, the height of the manifold chambers 210, 220, 230 may taperwith distance in the array direction 101, so that the cross-sectionalarea presented perpendicular to the array direction varies with distancein the array direction 101. As noted above, this taper incross-sectional area may have a variety of uses, such as improving thepriming of the printhead during a start-up mode, or allowing theprinthead to operate more effectively when disposed at an angle to thehorizontal. However, such a taper in cross-sectional area may tend tomake the end of the manifold component 201 where the manifold chambershave largest cross-sections relatively less stiff and the end where themanifold chambers have smallest cross-sections relatively more stiff.This variation in stiffness over the length of the manifold component isfound to have a marked effect on the uniformity of the dropletsdeposited by the array of fluid chambers: the stiffness profile may tendto “print through” into the pattern of droplets deposited.

In prior art manifold structures, such as those taught by WO 00/38928 orWO 00/24584, elements may be provided that generally stiffen thestructure, such as metal bars, alumina strips, or tie bars; however,these will tend to nonetheless induce stresses within the manifoldstructure, either directly (as with the tie bars) or indirectly as aresult of the different thermal expansion coefficients of the stiffeningelement and the manifold structure. In addition, the provision ofadditional structural elements to stiffen the manifold structure makethe manufacture of the printhead more costly and more complex,especially when compared to a single integrally-formed manifoldcomponent 201 as provided by the present invention.

It may further be noted that the goal in such prior art structures is togenerally increase the absolute rigidity of the structure, rather thanto ensure equal rigidity or stiffness over the length of the array offluid chambers. Thus, certain embodiments of the present invention maynot necessarily have equal stiffness to prior art structures thatinclude additional stiffening components. However, it is considered thatthe absolute value of the stiffness of the manifold structure may be ofless importance than the amount of variation in stiffness over thelength of the array, since, as noted above, the pattern of the variationin stiffness is found to “print through” into the printed pattern;compensating for such a variable pattern through, for example,appropriate processing of the pattern data sent to the actuators may befar more complex than compensating for a modest overall decrease instiffness of the manifold structure.

In order to counteract the variation in stiffness caused by the taperingof the manifold chambers, the size of the ribs 213, 223, 233 may varyover the length of the arrays of fluid chambers, such that the centroidof a cross-section through the manifold remains at substantially thesame position with respect to the deposition direction 102 over thewhole of the length of the arrays of fluid chambers.

It should be understood that the ribs 213, 223, 233 are just one exampleof a way of shaping the manifold component such that the cross-sectionalshape of the manifold component 201 perpendicular to the array direction101 may vary with distance in the array direction 101, such that thecentroid of the cross-section remains a substantially constant distance,in the deposition direction 102, from the array of fluid chambers overthe length of the array. Such shaping may mean that the manifoldcomponent 201 is essentially self-stiffening over the length of thearray of fluid chambers. As a result, the need for stiffening componentsmade of different materials may be obviated; this may avoid thestressing effects from the different thermal expansion of suchcomponents and/or may reduce the cost and complexity of manufacture forthe completed printhead.

It should however be appreciated that the use of ribs 213, 223, 233 tocounteract the tapering of the manifold chambers may provide certainadvantages. Firstly, as the ribs are a generally simple shape, it may bestraightforward to calculate how their shape should change over thelength of the array so as to counteract the tapering of the manifolds.As in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the width of the ribs 213,223, 233 and/or the manifold chambers 210, 220, 230 in the manifoldwidth direction 103 may be kept substantially the same over the lengthof the array of fluid chambers, with only the height parallel to thedeposition direction 102 varying to ensure the centroid of thecross-section remains at roughly the same location. Thus, to areasonable level of approximation, calculations may need only determinea suitable height for the ribs, based on the current height of themanifold chambers 210, 220, 230.

Secondly, ribs are relatively more easily formed using moldingtechniques, as they are relatively narrow, which reduces the incidenceof voids within the molded article. In addition, the ribs shown in thedrawings may assist release of the formed article during molding as theytaper monotonically in width (in the manifold width direction 103) withdistance in the deposition direction 102. This is equally the case forthe shape of the manifold chambers, which widen monotonically withdistance in the deposition direction 102. The same may also be said withregard to the extent of the ribs and/or of the manifold chambers, in thearray direction 101. Put differently, when viewed in the depositiondirection 102, the manifold chambers may be shaped such that there areno over-hanging portions. Similarly, when the ribs are viewed from theopposite side of the manifold component 201, there may also be noover-hanging portions.

Further, as the ribs 213, 223, 233 are provided above the manifoldchambers 210, 220, 230 with respect to the deposition direction 102,they may be particularly effective at counterbalancing the changes inthe cross-sections of the manifold chambers 210, 220, 230. In moredetail, it may be considered that the shape of the bottom portion of themanifold component 201, including the mounting surface, is essentiallyfixed (or at least that substantial variations in shape are difficult)since this part of the manifold component 201 is shaped so as to receivethe actuator components. Therefore, to maintain the centroid of thecross-section at a constant height above the array in the depositiondirection 102, it is most effective to “add” additional cross-sectionalarea to the manifold component 201 at the position furthest from thearray with respect to the deposition direction 102. For this reason,features that are located above the manifold chambers 210, 220, 230 withrespect to the deposition direction 102 may be particularlyadvantageous, with the ribs 213, 223, 233 being a particular example ofthis approach.

Furthermore, features such as the ribs 213, 223, 233 that extendgenerally away from the actuator components with respect to thedeposition direction 102 may present increased surface area that can bethermally coupled with a heat-sink to draw heat away from drivecircuitry 360 for the actuator components.

As may further be seen from FIG. 12, the shape of the manifold component201 is generally symmetric about a plane extending normal to themanifold width direction 103, so that the shape of the cross-section ofthe left-hand manifold chamber 210 mirrors that of the right-handmanifold chamber 230 and the shape of central manifold chamber 220 issymmetric about its center. Providing such symmetry for substantiallythe whole of the manifold component may provide both arrays of fluidchambers with generally the same flow distribution, which may help toensure that there are no noticeable differences in deposition betweenthe arrays.

Further, by continuing this symmetry for substantially the whole of themanifold component 201, so that the manifold component 201 is generallysymmetric about a plane normal to said manifold width direction 103 (or,put differently, a plane defined by the array 101 and deposition 102directions), the centroid of the cross-section of the manifold componentmay remain at a substantially constant position with respect to saidmanifold width direction 103 over the length of the arrays of fluidchambers. As will be discussed in greater detail below, maintaining thecentroid of the manifold component at a substantially constant positionwith respect to the manifold width direction 103 may ensure that thearrays formed in both the left-hand 110 a and right-hand 110 b strips ofpiezoelectric material experience substantially equal stresses.

It should however be appreciated that there may be other designapproaches to providing a manifold component where the centroid of thecross-section of the manifold component taken perpendicular to the arraydirection 101 remains at a substantially constant position with respectto the manifold width direction 103 over the lengths of the arrays offluid chambers. For example, ribs of variable width (with respect tosaid manifold width direction 103) might be provided at each side of themanifold component 201, in a similar approach to that with regard toribs 213, 223, 233 disposed above the manifold chambers 210, 220, 230.

Further constructional details of the manifold component 201 areapparent from FIGS. 8 to 10. In particular, at each end of the manifoldcomponent 201 there is provided a mounting wing with a correspondingmounting pin 15 a, 15 b. The mounting pins 15 a, 15 b may be made ofmetal and over-molded into the manifold component so as to be securelyattached thereto, though other methods of attachment such as bonding mayalso be suitable. The mounting pins 15 a, 15 b enable the completedinkjet printhead to be mounted into a printbar, or other mount within aprinter.

Returning now to FIG. 12, there is shown in greater detail certain ofthe actuator components and their relative locations when attached tothe manifold component 201. More particularly, FIG. 12 does not show thenozzle plate component 430 (unlike FIG. 10), so as to illustrate moreclearly the actuator components that underlie the nozzle plate component430.

Attached immediately to the mounting surface of the manifold component201 is a generally planar substrate component 86. The substratecomponent may thus present two opposing faces, each being generallynormal to the deposition direction 102, one of which is attached to themounting surface of the manifold component 201, and the other of whichacts as a supporting surface for further actuator components 110 a, 110b, 410. In terms of construction, substrate component 86 may be somewhatsimilar to the substrate component illustrated and described withreference to FIG. 5. Substrate component 86 may be made of a ceramicmaterial, such as alumina, so as to provide a rigid and robust supportfor two strips of piezoelectric material 110 a, 110 b, which aredisposed thereupon. The material of the substrate component 86 maysuitably be thermally-matched to the piezoelectric material of the twostrips 110 a, 110 b; alumina may be preferred as a material forsubstrate 86 for this reason.

In a similar fashion to those shown in FIG. 5, the strips ofpiezoelectric material 110 a, 110 b have been machined into respectivearrays of elongate channels, with consecutive channels separated by anelongate wall of piezoelectric material. WO 01/12442 teaches a number ofways of attaching the piezoelectric strips 110 a, 110 b to the substrate86 and machining such channels, including forming saw cuts through thepiezoelectric strips 110 a, 110 b.

Each of the channels may be elongate in a direction perpendicular to thedeposition direction 102 (such as the manifold width direction 103, asshown in the figures), so that deposition is from the longitudinal sideof the channel. For this reason, such an arrangement is commonlyreferred to as a “side-shooter”.

As with the substrate 86 depicted in FIG. 5, the substrate 86 mayinclude a number of ports 88, 90, 92 formed therein, which fluidicallyconnect the manifold chambers 210, 220, 230 to the fluid chambers formedin the piezoelectric strips 110 a, 110 b. Specifically, a respective rowof ports extending in the array direction 101 may be provided for eachof the manifold chambers 210, 220, 230.

The ports 88, 90, 92 may enable a similar flow through the manifoldcomponent 201 to that shown in FIG. 3. More specifically, the ports 88,90, 92 enable fluid to flow from the central manifold chamber 220,through the central row of ports 90, with the flow then separating intoa portion that travels through the array of fluid chambers formed in theleft-hand piezoelectric strip 110 a, through the left-hand row of ports88, and into the left-hand manifold chamber 210, and a portion thattravels through the array of fluid chambers formed in the right-handpiezoelectric strip 110 b, through the right-hand row of ports 92, andinto the right-hand manifold chamber 230. It should be appreciated thatthe manifold component may also be connected so as to provide fluid flowin the opposite direction, with flows entering the arrays of fluidchambers formed in the left-hand 110 a and right-hand 110 bpiezoelectric strips from, respectively, the left-hand manifold chamber210, via the left-hand row of ports 88 and the right-hand manifoldchamber 230, via the right-hand row of ports 90. These two flows meetabove the central row of ports 90, through which the flow then travels,entering the central manifold chamber 220.

Also disposed on the surface of the substrate 86 facing away from themanifold component 201 is a spacer component 410. Viewed from themounting surface side of the manifold component 201, the spacercomponent 410 is shaped so as to surround the piezoelectric strips 110a, 110 b. The spacer component 410 provides an attachment surface thatextends around the piezoelectric strips 110 a, 110 b and normal to thedeposition direction 101; the nozzle plate 430 may then be bonded tothis attachment surface so as to enclose the channels formed inpiezoelectric strips 110 a, 110 b, thus providing an array of elongatefluid chambers. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, a cover member 420may be attached to the attachment surface of the spacer component 410,with a nozzle plate 430 bonded over the cover member 420.

As is shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, two ink supply pipes 280, 290 are providedon the opposite side of the manifold component 201 to the mountingsurface that enable connection to an ink supply system. As with mountingpins 15 a,15 b, the ink supply pipes 280, 290 may be made of metal andover-molded into the manifold component so as to be securely attachedthereto, though other methods of attachment such as bonding may also besuitable. Also visible in FIGS. 9 and 10 are respective caps 285, 295for the ink supply pipes 280, 290 that may attached before the printheadis shipped. As may also be seen from the drawings, the fluid supplypipes extend in generally the opposite direction to the mounting surfaceso as to reduce the footprint of the completed printhead when mounted ina printer. During use, either one of the two ink supply pipes 280, 290may be connected to the fluid supply system so as to act as an inletpipe, with the other of the two pipes 280, 290 being connected as anoutlet pipe.

At a general level of detail, ink pipe 280 is connected, via a conduitformed in the opposite side of the manifold component 201 to theactuator components, to the central manifold chamber 220, whereas inkpipe 290 is connected, again via a collector conduit 270 formed in theopposite side of the manifold component 201 to the actuator components,to both the left-hand and right-hand manifold chambers 210, 230.

Attention is now directed to the cross-section through the manifoldcomponent 201 that is shown in FIG. 13, which is a sectional viewthrough the manifold component 201 in the plane indicated by FIG. 11;this cross-section shows in more detail how the ink supply pipes 280,290 are fluidically connected to the manifold chambers 210, 220, 230. Asis apparent from the figure, ink pipe 290 is connected via to acollector conduit 270 formed in the rear of the manifold component 201(on the opposite side to the mounting surface and actuator components),to the left-hand and right-hand manifold chambers 210, 230. As alsoshown in FIG. 13, a fluid junction 260 may therefore be provided withinthe manifold component 201, where the collector conduit 270 connected toink pipe 290 branches into two subsidiary fluid conduits 215, 235.

Though not visible in the cross-section shown in FIG. 13, ink pipe 280is connected, also via a fluid conduit formed in the rear of themanifold component 201 (again, on the opposite side to the mountingsurface and actuator components), to the central manifold chamber 220.

As noted above, either of the ink pipes 280, 290 may be connected as aninlet pipe, with the other connected as an outlet pipe. Where ink pipe280 is connected as an inlet pipe and ink pipe 290 as an outlet pipe,fluid flows from ink pipe 280, through conduit 225 and into centralmanifold chamber 220, before separating, with a portion travelingthrough the left-hand array of fluid chambers to the left-hand manifoldchamber 210, and a portion traveling through the right-hand array offluid chambers into the right-hand manifold chamber 230. The two flowsthen travel respectively along the left-hand and right-hand subsidiaryconduits 215, 235 (in a direction generally opposite to the depositiondirection 102 and away from the actuator components), before re-joiningin the fluid junction 260 and continuing along the collector conduit 270to the ink pipe 290 and so to the ink supply system.

By contrast, where ink pipe 290 is connected as an inlet pipe and inkpipe 280 as an outlet pipe, fluid enters the manifold component 201 viacollector conduit 270, before separating at the fluid junction 260, withpart of the flow continuing along the left-hand and right-handsubsidiary conduits 215, 235 (in a direction generally parallel to thedeposition direction 102 and towards the actuator components). The flowsfrom the left-hand and right-hand subsidiary conduits 215, 235 thenenter, respectively, the left-hand 210 and right-hand 230 manifoldchambers, before flowing respectively through the left-hand andright-hand arrays of fluid chambers and re-joining to travel through thecentral manifold chamber 220. Finally, the fluid leaves the centralmanifold chamber 220 through the conduit 225 connected to ink pipe 280and thus returns to the ink supply system.

Suitably, the ink supply system may apply a positive fluid pressure atthe pipe connected as an inlet pipe and a negative pressure at the pipeconnected as an outlet pipe, so as to drive a constant flow through theprinthead. The magnitude of the negative pressure may be somewhatgreater than the magnitude of the positive pressure, so that a negativepressure (with respect to atmospheric pressure) is achieved at thenozzles, which may prevent fluid “weeping” from the nozzles during use.

Further internal constructional details may be apparent from FIG. 13.More specifically, a fluid flow plug 265 may be provided that isinserted into a corresponding socket 266 within the manifold component201; the location and shape of the socket 266 are illustrated in FIG. 8.

As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 13, fluid flow plug 265,combines with the manifold component 201 to provide the fluid junction260. Providing the fluid junction 260 with the combination of these twocomponents may allow the surfaces of the junction 260 to be accuratelydefined with components that are easily molded, it being appreciatedthat interior surfaces are more difficult to define using moldingtechniques.

In an optional modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, thefluid flow plug 265 may be shaped so that it has an adjustable effect onthe flows through the subsidiary conduits 215, 235. Specifically, thefluid flow plug 265 may be used to adjust the pressure drop between theleft-hand and right-hand subsidiary conduits 215, 235 to ensure thatthey both present substantially the same amount of impedance to fluidflow. Additionally, or alternatively, the fluid flow plug 265 may beadjusted to ensure substantially the same amount of flow is present ineach of the subsidiary conduits 215, 235 and/or that there is the samepressure drop for fluid flowing along each of the subsidiary conduits215, 235 to (or from) the fluid junction 260.

Such functionality may, for example be provided by shaping the fluidflow plug 265 so as to be rotatable within the corresponding socket 266within the manifold component 201. Rotation of the plug may alter therespective flow paths seen by the fluid travelling along each of thesubsidiary conduits 215, 235. For example, rotation in one sense maypresent cause an aperture presented by the plug 265 to the left-handsubsidiary conduit 215 to become smaller and an aperture presented bythe plug 265 to the right-hand subsidiary conduit 235 to become larger;rotation in the opposite sense may have the opposite effect, with theaperture presented to the left-hand subsidiary conduit 215 becominglarger and the aperture presented to the right-hand subsidiary conduit235 becoming smaller. Such apertures may be provided adjacent saidjunction 260, with said junction being provided substantially withinsaid fluid flow plug 265.

Alternatively, such functionality may be provided by shaping the fluidflow plug so as to be progressively moveable into and out of thecorresponding socket 266. Such movement may similarly alter the size ofapertures presented to the subsidiary conduits 215, 235 and, therefore,such apertures may suitably be provided adjacent the junction 260, withthe junction being provided substantially within said fluid flow plug265. Combinations of rotation and insertion may equally be provided inother embodiments.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 14 to 16, which illustrate additionalinventive concepts that may be combined with the self-stiffening conceptdiscussed above with regard to FIGS. 8 to 13, or may be implementedindependently. All of FIGS. 14 to 16 are views from below (taken in theopposite direction to the deposition direction 102 shown in FIG. 10).FIGS. 14 and 15 show the manifold component of FIGS. 8 to 13 and, inparticular, the relative size and location of the strips ofpiezoelectric material 110 a, 110 b with respect to the manifoldchambers 210, 220, 230.

FIG. 14 shows, using a solid rectangular outline, the area covered by asingle piezoelectric strip 110 and indicates, by means of lines laidacross the manifold component 201, the position of the piezoelectricwith respect to the array direction 101.

Similarly, FIG. 15 shows, using two dashed rectangular outlines, thepositions of the left-hand and right-hand strips of piezoelectricmaterial 110 a, 110 b when mounted on the manifold component. As will beapparent from FIGS. 13 and 14, with respect to the array direction 101,the length of each of the piezoelectric strips 110 a, 110 b stops shortof both the first longitudinal ends 210 a, 230 a and, at the opposingend of the piezoelectric strips, the second longitudinal ends 210 b, 230b of both the left-hand 210 and right-hand 230 manifold chambers. Putdifferently, both longitudinal ends of the manifolds extend beyond bothends of the piezoelectric strips 110 a, 110 b.

The Applicant has discovered, through analysis of the stresses withinmanifold components, that the rate of variation in stress with respectto distance in the array direction is greatest in the regions adjacentthe longitudinal ends of the manifolds. FIG. 16 show the results of suchan analysis, which plots the von Mises stress within the manifoldcomponent shown in FIGS. 8-15 against distance in the array direction101. More specifically, the values on the y-axis of the plot representthe stresses on a midline on the top surface (that closest to themanifold component 201) of each piezoelectric strip 110 a, 110 b. As maybe seen, there is a substantial drop-off in stress towards thelongitudinal ends 210 a, 210 b, 230 a, 230 b of the manifold chambers.More specifically, the greatest change in stress is found to occur inapproximately the first 5 mm of the manifold chambers, corresponding toaround the first 6% of the manifold chambers. However, as will beapparent from considering, for example, the right-hand side of the plot,substantial benefits may be found within distances as small as 3 mm,corresponding to around 4% of the length of the manifold chamber.

In addition, it may be desirable to deactivate the end-most chamberswithin the arrays so as to compensate for related edge-effects (forexample by providing no electrical connections, or by sending non-firingsignals to the corresponding piezoelectric actuators). The most markedchange in such effects is found to occur in approximately the first 2.5mm of the array, corresponding to around 4% of the length of the array.This may be considered as, in effect, reducing the available width ofthe print swathe. Accordingly, where a particular print swathe width isrequired (for example, corresponding to a standard substrate size, suchas A2, A3, A4 etc.), a piezoelectric actuator may be provided thatextends 2.5 mm at each end beyond the overall width of the print swathe(the width being measured perpendicular to the direction of substrateindexation), with the end most-chambers in the 2.5 mm extensiondeactivated, to compensate for the end effects. This will shift the “enddrop off” artefacts outside of the print swathe, thus achieving betteruniformity of the print profile.

It may be noted that, while FIGS. 8 to 15 show constructions includingtwo arrays of fluid chambers, the advantages of having a manifoldchamber extending beyond a longitudinal end an array of fluid chambersmay be felt in constructions having only one array of fluid chambers andthus only two manifold chambers.

It may further be noted that almost exactly the same stress profile isexperienced by both left-hand 110 a and right-hand 110 b arrays ofchambers. As noted above with regard to FIG. 12, this may be achieved byshaping the manifold component 201 so that the centroid of thecross-section of the manifold component taken perpendicular to the arraydirection 101 remains at a substantially constant position with respectto the manifold width direction 103 over the lengths of the arrays offluid chambers. In the construction depicted in FIGS. 8 to 15, this isaccomplished by designing the shape of the manifold component 201 so asto be generally symmetrical about a plane normal to the manifold widthdirection 103 (or, put differently, a plane defined by the array 101 anddeposition 102 directions). By providing substantially the same stressprofile at both arrays, the manifold component 201 may substantiallyreduce the difference in deposition properties between the two arrays.

In addition, having both longitudinal ends of the manifolds extendbeyond both ends of the piezoelectric strips 110 a, 110 b allows the twosubsidiary fluid conduits 215, 235 and the fluid junction 260 to belongitudinally separated from the arrays of fluid chambers, by locatingthe fluid conduits 215, 235 beyond the respective longitudinal ends ofthe arrays of fluid chambers, as shown in FIG. 14. As a result, thechange in cross-sectional area of the manifold component 201 withrespect to distance in the array direction 101 caused by the twosubsidiary fluid conduits 215, 235 and the fluid junction 260 is alsospaced apart from the arrays of fluid chambers and the attendantvariation in stress within the manifold component therefore has a lesspronounced effect on variation in droplet deposition within the arraysof fluid chambers.

As also shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the centres of the piezoelectricstrips 110 a, 110 b and manifold chambers 210, 220, 230 may be alignedwith respect to the array direction 101. This may further improve theuniformity of droplet deposition over the arrays.

As may also be apparent from FIG. 14, the fluid junction 260 may belocated so as to overlap with the central manifold chamber 220. This mayadvantageously reduce the footprint of the completed printhead over thesubstrate when compared to prior art designs, such as that taught by WO00/38928, where ink supply to and from the printhead is via respectivebores in end-caps 90 of the printhead.

In addition, as the junction 260 may be spaced-apart from the arrays offluid chambers by the central manifold chamber 220, the change incross-sectional area of the manifold component with respect to the arraydirection that results from the junction 260 may have less effect on thestresses experienced adjacent the array of fluid chambers. As a result,the properties of droplets deposited by fluid chambers near the junctionmay not differ substantially from those of droplets deposited by fluidchambers elsewhere in the array.

The advantageous effects of providing a fluid junction 260 that connectssubsidiary conduits 215, 235 to collector conduit 270 behind the centralmanifold chamber 220 may be apparent from comparing the stress profileshown in FIG. 16, which as noted above results from an analysis of themanifold component shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, with the stress profileshown in FIG. 18, which results from an analysis of the manifoldcomponent shown in FIG. 17.

In more detail, the manifold component shown in FIG. 17 includes ahorse-shoe shaped manifold chamber portion 240, which connects theleft-hand manifold chamber 210 to the right-hand manifold chamber 230.This allows a single conduit 250, which extends generally away from theactuator components with respect to the deposition direction 102, to beconnected to the left-hand 210 and right-hand 230 manifold chambers.However, as may be apparent from considering the right-hand end of thestress profile shown in FIG. 18 (which corresponds to the right-hand endof the manifold component in the view shown in FIG. 17) such aconstruction leads to significant variations in stress in the arraydirection. When compared to the stress profile shown in FIG. 16, for themanifold component shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, it is clear that themanifold component of FIGS. 14 and 15 experiences substantially lessvariation in stress over the length of the array.

Comparative print-testing of printheads utilizing the manifold componentshown in FIGS. 14 and 15 and printheads utilizing the manifold componentshown in FIG. 17 demonstrates that such variations in stress may have amarked effect on the variation in droplet size in the array direction.The results of such comparative testing are displayed in FIGS. 22 to 24.

More particularly, FIGS. 22 to 24 illustrate the results of monthlyprint tests where all chambers in both rows (110 a, 110 b) of aprinthead were actuated such that all chambers would produce droplets ofnominally equal size. In the particular printheads tested, each row hadnearly 500 chambers; the diameters of the drops produced by each ofthese chambers were measured so that the departure from nominalbehaviour could be studied.

From October to February, tests were carried out on printheads utilizingthe manifold component shown in FIG. 17, with the results of these testsbeing shown in FIG. 23 (which may be compared with the stress profileshown in FIG. 18). Specifically, FIG. 23 shows on its y-axis thediameter (in microns) of the droplet from a particular chamber, whereasthe x-axis gives the number of that chamber within the array. Eachmonthly test is displayed as a separate dotted line on the graph. As maybe seen, the graphs for the two rows of the printhead are separated fromeach other in the x-direction for clarity.

From March to September, monthly print tests were carried out onprintheads utilizing the manifold component shown in FIGS. 14 and 15,with the results of these tests being shown in a similar fashion to FIG.23, in FIG. 22 (which may be compared with the stress profile shown inFIG. 16). In contrast to FIG. 23, however, the results of the tests inFIG. 22 are shown with solid lines.

FIG. 24 then shows the results of all of the tests overlaid on the sameaxes, so that the improvement in the variation in droplet diameter, whenmoving from the manifold component shown in FIG. 17 to the manifoldcomponent shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, is still more apparent. Again, theresults of the tests for the printhead utilizing the manifold componentshown in FIGS. 14 and 15 are illustrated using solid lines and theresults of the tests for the printhead utilizing the manifold componentshown in FIG. 17 are illustrated using dotted lines. As may be seen,there is a clear, quantitative improvement in the variation in dropletsize in the array direction when the manifold component illustrated inFIGS. 14 and 15 is utilized. As may also be seen, there is significantlyless difference in droplet size between the two rows of chambers (110 a,110 b) when the manifold component illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 isutilized, as compared with the difference in droplet size between thetwo rows of chambers when the manifold component illustrated in FIG. 17is utilized.

It may be noted that the particular fluid junction 260 shown in FIGS. 14and 15, whose benefits are discussed above, is arranged so that itconnects subsidiary conduits 215, 235 to collector conduit 270 behindthe central manifold chamber 220, as well as being arranged so that thesubsidiary conduits 215, 235 and fluid junction are located beyond thelongitudinal ends of the arrays of fluid chambers. It should however beappreciated that the advantages of such a fluid junction 260 may be felteven where the subsidiary conduits 215, 235 and fluid junction 260 arenot located beyond the longitudinal ends of the arrays of fluidchambers.

FIGS. 19 to 21 illustrate the assembly of a printhead using the manifoldcomponent according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-15.

FIG. 19 shows the manifold component 201 with certain of the actuatorcomponents mounted on the mounting surface thereof. More particularly,the substrate 86 is displayed, with the two piezoelectric strips 110 a,110 b mounted thereupon. The substrate has three rows of ports 88, 90,92(each row extending in the array direction 101) formed therein, whichcorrespond respectively to the three manifold chambers 210, 220, 230.Thus, the design of substrate 86 may be considered somewhat similar tothat shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 20 shows the assembly of FIG. 19, with the spacer component 410mounted thereupon. As discussed above with regard to FIG. 12, the spacercomponent 410 provides an attachment surface that extends around thepiezoelectric strips 110 a, 110 b and normal to the deposition direction101; the nozzle plate 430 may then be bonded to this attachment surfaceso as to enclose the channels formed in piezoelectric strips 110 a, 110b, thus providing an array of elongate fluid chambers. Viewed from themounting surface side of the manifold component 201, the spacercomponent 410 is shaped so as to surround the piezoelectric strips 110a, 110 b.

FIG. 21 shows a partially exploded perspective view of the manifoldcomponent 201 and other components making up the completed printhead. Inparticular, the figure shows the manifold component 201 with two sidecovers 202 attached (though only one is visible from the angle at whichFIG. 21 is taken) to each longitudinal side of the manifold component201.

As is apparent from FIG. 21, a heat-sink 204 is mounted on the oppositeside of the manifold component 201 to the actuator components. The heatsink 204 is shaped so as to engage around this opposing side of themanifold component 201 and down the two longitudinal sides. The heatsink may be in thermal contact (which term is distinct from, and doesnot necessarily imply, physical contact) with the outwardly facing sidesurfaces of the longitudinal sides of the manifold component 201,including outwardly facing side surfaces adjacent the left-hand 210 andright-hand 230 manifold chambers and outwardly facing side surfaces ofthe left-hand 213 and right-hand 233 ribs.

Such outwardly facing surfaces may extend in both the array direction101 and the deposition direction 102 so that a large area may beavailable for heat exchange without increasing the footprint of theoverall construction over the substrate. In addition, where thecross-sectional shape of the ribs 213, 223, 233 taken perpendicular tothe array direction 101 is elongate in the deposition direction, asshown in FIG. 12, the available surface area for thermal conduction withthe heat-sink 204 may be particularly large.

More particularly, the outwardly facing side surfaces of the manifoldcomponent 201 may be described as being generally normal to the manifoldwidth direction 103. It should be appreciated that “generally normal”implies a reasonable amount of flexibility in the inclination of theside surfaces. A variety of arrangements may be suitable to achieve anappreciable increase in the area available for heat exchange withoutsignificantly increasing the footprint over the substrate. For example,such outwardly facing side surfaces may be oriented such that saiddeposition direction 102 subtends an angle of up to 20 degrees, thoughin most cases angles of up to 15 degrees or up to 10 degrees may be moreappropriate.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, for example, the side surfaces need not beentirely planar. However, averaged over the whole of the side surface,the normal direction will typically not differ from the manifold widthdirection 103 by more than 20 degrees, and in many cases a difference ofless than 15 degrees or 10 degrees may be more appropriate.

As also shown in FIG. 12 the side surface adjacent the left-handmanifold chamber 210 may co-extend generally parallel to a correspondinginterior surface of the left-hand manifold chamber 210. Similarly, theside surface adjacent the right-hand manifold chamber 230 may co-extendgenerally parallel to a corresponding interior surface of the right-handmanifold chamber 230. As apparent from FIG. 12, the side surface andcorresponding interior surface may together define part of a wallenclosing a longitudinal side of that manifold chamber. The interiorsurface of the manifold chamber may therefore generally oppose theadjacent side surface.

Moreover, it should be appreciated that, particularly where the manifoldcomponent 201 is molded, some amount of inclination with respect to thedeposition direction 102 may be beneficial. Such inclination may, forexample, assist in the removal of the manifold component 201 from amould, where formed by a molding process such as injection molding.

Mounted upon the heat-sink are circuit boards 360, which may includedrive circuitry for supplying electrical actuating signals to thepiezoelectric actuator elements of the two arrays of fluid chambers. Inuse, the heat-sink 204 may conduct heat away from the circuit boardsincluding the drive circuitry 360 and may transfer this heat via theoutwardly facing surfaces of the manifold component 201 discussed aboveto the fluid within the left-hand and right-hand manifold chambers 210,230. Particularly where the printhead is connected so that thesechambers 210, 230 are outlet manifolds, this may allow the flow of fluidthrough the printhead to draw heat away from the drive circuitry.

The heat-sink 204 may be loosely attached to the manifold component 201,such that it substantially does not transfer mechanical stress to themanifold component 201 during use. Accordingly, the heat-sink 204 may,when attached, be moveable with respect to the manifold component 201 byan amount greater than the amount of thermal expansion that theheat-sink may undergo during use of the printhead. For example, theheat-sink 204 may be moveable relative to the manifold component 201 byan amount of the order of 1 mm (or in some cases 0.1 mm). Morespecifically, there may be small air gap between the heat sink 204 andthe manifold component 201, it being understood that the smaller thisair gap is, the more efficient the thermal contact between thecomponents will be. As noted above, the heat-sink 204 may attach to themanifold component 201 by inserting heatsink engaging portions 2014 a,2014 b provided by the manifold component into corresponding aperturesin the heatsink 204, with the heatsink engaging portions 2014 a, 2014 bsnapping over integrally-formed rib or ridge provided by the heatsink204.

As also shown in FIG. 21, a generally planar gasket 203, through whichink supply pipes 280, 290 extend, is mounted over the heat-sink 204. Athermal pad 205 is also provided. Top cover 207 is then attached, bymeans of fixing screws 206, to the components below so as to enclose theelectronics. Ribbon cable 365 extends through the top cover 207 toprovide the printhead with data communication capabilities. Therespective caps 285, 295 for the two ink supply pipes 280, 290(discussed above) are shown removed in FIG. 21.

While the foregoing embodiments have concerned an inkjet printhead, asnoted above, a variety of alternative fluids may be deposited by dropletdeposition apparatus. Thus, where reference is made above to an inkjetprinthead this should be understood only as giving a particular exampleof a droplet deposition apparatus.

The invention claimed is:
 1. Droplet deposition apparatus comprising anintegrally-formed manifold component and one or more actuatorcomponents; wherein said one or more actuator components provide firstand second arrays of fluid chambers, each fluid chamber having apiezoelectric actuator element and a nozzle, said piezoelectric actuatorelement being operable to cause the release in a deposition direction offluid droplets through said nozzle in response to electrical signals,said arrays of fluid chambers extending side-by side in an arraydirection from a respective first longitudinal end to a respectivesecond, opposite longitudinal end, said array direction being generallyperpendicular to said deposition direction; wherein the manifoldcomponent is elongate in said array direction and comprises first,second and third manifold chambers, said manifold chambers extendingside-by-side in said array direction, said first manifold chamber beingdisposed between said second and third manifold chambers; wherein saidfirst manifold chamber is fluidically connected to said second manifoldchamber via each of the fluid chambers in said first array and to saidthird manifold chamber via each of the fluid chambers in said secondarray; wherein said manifold component further comprises first, secondand third conduits, said first conduit branching into said second andthird conduits at a fluid junction, said second and third conduits beingconnected respectively to said second and third manifold chambers; andwherein, when viewed in said deposition direction, at least a portion ofsaid fluid junction overlaps with said first manifold chamber. 2.Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said conduits and said junctionare generally located, with respect to said array direction, beyond alongitudinal end of said first and second arrays of fluid chambers. 3.Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said conduits and said junctiongenerally lie within a plane normal to said array direction. 4.Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a fluid-flowcomponent, said manifold component and said fluid-flow componenttogether providing said fluid junction.
 5. Apparatus according to claim4, wherein said fluid-flow component is shaped generally as a plug thatis shaped to be received within a corresponding socket provided by saidmanifold component.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein saidmanifold component and said fluid-flow component are each formedsubstantially of polymeric material.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 5,wherein said plug is integrally formed.
 8. Apparatus according to claim1, further comprising a fluid-flow component, which is shaped generallyas a plug that is shaped to be received within a corresponding socketprovided by said manifold component, said manifold component and saidfluid-flow component together providing said fluid junction. 9.Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said conduits and said junctionare generally located, with respect to said array direction, beyond alongitudinal end of said first and second arrays of fluid chambers. 10.Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said manifold component and saidfluid-flow component are each formed substantially of polymericmaterial.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the plug ismoveable within the corresponding socket provided by the manifoldcomponent so as to provide an adjustable effect on the flows through thesecond and third conduits.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 8, whereinthe plug is shaped so as to be rotatable within the corresponding socketprovided by the manifold component.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 8,wherein rotation of the plug within the corresponding socket provided bythe manifold component provides an adjustable effect on the flowsthrough the second and third conduits.
 14. Apparatus according to claim1, wherein said manifold component is substantially symmetric about aplane defined by said array and deposition directions.
 15. Apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said fluid chambers lie in a plane normalto said deposition direction.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 1,wherein each of said one or more actuator components comprises agenerally planar substrate extending in a plane normal to saiddeposition direction, the piezoelectric actuator elements of theactuator component in question being mounted on said substrate. 17.Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said manifold componentprovides a mounting surface extending in a plane normal to saiddeposition direction, said substrate being mounted on said mountingsurface and thus being disposed between said piezoelectric actuatorelements and said manifold component.
 18. Apparatus according to claim17, wherein said substrate comprises a plurality of fluid ports so asfluidically connect said manifold chambers to said fluid chambers.
 19. Amethod of manufacturing a droplet deposition apparatus, comprising:molding a manifold component; and assembling said manifold componentwith one or more actuator components; wherein said one or more actuatorcomponents provide first and second arrays of fluid chambers, each fluidchamber having a piezoelectric actuator element and a nozzle, saidpiezoelectric actuator element being operable to cause the release in adeposition direction of fluid droplets through said nozzle in responseto electrical signals, said arrays of fluid chambers extending side-byside in an array direction from a respective first longitudinal end to arespective second, opposite longitudinal end, said array direction beinggenerally perpendicular to said deposition direction; wherein themanifold component is elongate in said array direction and comprisesfirst, second and third manifold chambers, said manifold chambersextending side-by-side in said array direction, said first manifoldchamber being disposed between said second and third manifold chambers;wherein said first manifold chamber is fluidically connected to saidsecond manifold chamber via each of the fluid chambers in said firstarray and to said third manifold chamber via each of the fluid chambersin said second array; wherein said manifold component further comprisesfirst, second and third conduits, said first conduit branching into saidsecond and third conduits at a fluid junction, said second and thirdconduits being connected respectively to said second and third manifoldchambers; and wherein, when viewed in said deposition direction, atleast a portion of said fluid junction overlaps with said first manifoldchamber.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein said manifold component isformed by injection molding.
 21. The method of claim 19, wherein moldingsaid manifold component comprises over-molding into said manifoldcomponent at least one of: an inlet pipe for connection to a fluidsupply system so as to supply fluid to at least one of said manifoldchambers; an outlet pipe for connection to a fluid supply system so asto draw fluid from at least one of said manifold chambers; and amounting pin.
 22. The method of claim 19, further comprising molding afluid-flow component, which is shaped generally as a plug that is shapedto be received within a corresponding socket provided by said manifoldcomponent, said manifold component and said fluid-flow componenttogether providing said fluid junction.